Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, enabling its use in all production configurations including offshore oil and gas transportation and search and rescue operations.
The certificate also enables the operation of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation.
DGAC signed the certificate on November 6, capping a three-year effort to introduce the S-92 helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, to Mexico.
“Sikorsky has been excited to watch the evolution of the offshore oil and gas industry in Mexico,” said Sikorsky Vice President, Oil & Gas, David Martin . He added: “With this new certification of the S-92 aircraft, operators and oil and gas companies can select a true heavy helicopter that has the proven reliability and safety to support their success.”
“This moves us another step forward in our overall Latin America strategy,” said Sikorsky Vice President, Latin America, Adam Schierholz . “The region has long had faith in Sikorsky products, specifically the Black Hawk. It’s a natural progression, as oil markets expand in Mexico and Colombia, that the S-92 would start to play a prominent role in that sector.”
The S-92 was certified in Colombia in November 2016. Sikorsky has delivered nearly 300 S-92 helicopters since 2004. According to the company, the multi-mission S-92 aircraft is the preferred aircraft of its size class for offshore oil worker transportation.